building moderate trail rig

[74 shortbed 406]

I just recently picked up a 78 k25 cheap. The body is rough and I have a pic posted of it on here. Bed is junk and will be building some sort of flatbed for it. It has a dead stock drivetrain which includes 350 with q-jet, 400, 203, d44 front and a 14 bolt ff(thought it was sf for some reason). I am not a dedicated rock crawled and the places I will be at 90% of the time are the woods. I still would like this truck to be functional as a much of a daily driver as can be. I am thinking of trimming the frame in the rear as short as I can, build bed accordingly, do a shackle flip in rear and maybe springs to get desired lift. I am debating on tire size, 35 is what's in my head. Motor is going to get some help in the way of built into 355 or 383. Haven't decided what tranny, keep the 400 or swap to 465. Haven't decided on the tcase. This will be the first I have owned with the 203. So any links or pics that are related would be awesome. This is also the first time I have had a 3/4 ton, I am looking to lock rear, maybe air lock front?

[Chevy1TonFun]

Sounds like a good list of to do to me! I am a fan of auto trans. so i'd keep the 400, plus thats a few less things to have to mess with. How much lift to you want. You will only need 4-6 for 35s.

[74 shortbed 406]

I haven't decided on the flip which should give around5-6 or going 4 link and springs and going up 6

[special-K]

4-link...moderate trail rig? You're getting into fabrication type modification and that's the road to an all-out trail rig. Keep it simple,like you started off describing and you'll be fine. Actually,a stock truck with the right tires is a great moderate trail rig. Locked differentials are the one best thing you can do and should be one of the first things to do. The TH400/NP203 will do fine
Here's my list posted in order of priority:
* Front springs/shackle flip rear...maybe consider going to 52" front springs
*Tires...whatever fits with whatever lift you do. Maybe do some trimming
*Lockers
*Winch...because the farther in you can go,the harder to get out
*Motor
*Skid plates/rub protection,beef up parts like u-joints or whatever else already broke,roll protection,heavier cooling,compressor,sponsors

[jjzepplin]

Yep that thing sounds pretty stout the way it is. I'd replace broken or worn pieces and give it a try. Might be all you need stock.

[74 shortbed 406]

I know four link would be overkill, but I can increase departure angle by a large margin. I am not do worried about fabrication, I have 10yrs experience in that and my uncle builds racecars and knows the calculations for setting them up. I went and talked to my buddy last night about the truck, and he is giving me 3 sets of tires with it, not new sets but decent rubber. I should be able to do some swapping around and have no money in truck. I know I said no rock crawling but the banks on the dried creeks I would be playing in are steep, not real tall, just steep so approach and departure angles need to be decent.